Kit cover

ABSTRACT

A kit cover for protective garments, including a right fabric panel. The right fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to a protective garment. A left fabric panel is also included. The left fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protective garment. A first half of a first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the right fabric panel. A second half of the first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the left fabric panel configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to ballistic resistant armor and morespecifically to a kit cover for a ballistic resistant garment.

BACKGROUND

Military and law enforcement bullet resistant and non-bullet resistanttactical vests are equipped with different size pouches in which avariety of mission equipment or kit is carried. The pouches may includeflaps and straps with which to retain the various components of the kit.In most cases, the equipment carried is rigid and has a tendency tocreate straight lines and square corners on the exterior surface of thepouches. In addition, there is often space between the pouches. Evenwhen the pouches are placed touching each other, the curvature of thetorso forces the outermost edges of the pouches apart, thereby creatingspace between them.

The rigidity, straight edges, square corners, pouch flaps, and straps,combined with the space between the pouches and the additional girthcreated by the pouch thickness, present a snagging hazard for wearers ofthe vest. There are numerous protruding objects encountered in vehicles,aircraft cockpits, and other confined spaces during tactical operations.In addition to creating snagging hazards, the pouches can interfere withthe manipulation of the vehicle and aircraft controls and other duties,such as individual and crew served weapons deployment. Further, soldiersand law enforcement officers may be unable to emergency egress fromvehicles due to their equipment getting hung up on an object in theirexit path.

Thus, there exists a need for a kit cover configured to prevent snaggingand other obstruction due to the irregular shape of the kit pouches,while still providing immediate access to mission equipment carried inthe pouches.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a kit cover that prevents snagging of kitpouches on objects that may interfere with the wearer's ability to movefreely, while enabling immediate access to items carried in the pouchesunder the kit cover.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a kit cover includinga right fabric panel. The right fabric panel includes a front edge, aback edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured toattach to a protective garment. A left fabric panel is also included.The left fabric panel includes a front edge, a back edge, a top edge anda bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protectivegarment. A first half of a first removable fastener is disposed adjacentto the front edge of the right fabric panel. A second half of the firstremovable fastener is disposed adjacent to the front edge of the leftfabric panel configured to attach to the first half of the firstremovable fastener.

One or more of the following features may be included. In someimplementations, a first half of a second removable fastener may bedisposed adjacent to the back edge of the right fabric panel. The firsthalf of the second removable fastener may be configured to attach to asecond half of the second removable fastener disposed on the protectivegarment. Similarly, a first half of a third removable fastener may bedisposed on the back edge of the left fabric panel. The first half ofthe third removable fastener may be configured to attach to a secondhalf of the third removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.

In some embodiments, a plurality of elastic strips may be disposedadjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the right fabric panel andthe left fabric panel. The plurality of elastic strips may be configuredto cinch the right and left fabric panels to the protective vest.

The first and second halves of the first removable fastener may beselected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook andloop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps. Similarly, the first andsecond halves of the second and third removable fasteners may beselected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook andloop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

In some embodiments, the right fabric panel may include at least onepocket configured to hold at least one armor panel. Similarly, the leftfabric panel may include at least one pocket configured to hold at leastone armor panel. The at least one armor panel may be selected from thegroup consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel. The rightand left fabric panels may be composed of a ballistic fabric.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a kit coverincluding a wrap-around fabric panel having a left end, a right end, acentral region, a top edge and a bottom edge, and configured to attachto a protective garment. A first half of a first removable fastener isdisposed adjacent to the left end of the wrap-around fabric panel. Asecond half of the first removable fastener is disposed adjacent to theright end of the wrap-around fabric panel and configured to attach tothe first half of the first removable fastener.

One or more of the following features may be included. In someimplementations, a first half of at least one central removable fastenermay be disposed within the central region of the wrap-around fabricpanel. The first half of the at least one central removable fastener maybe configured to attach to a second half of the at least one centralremovable fastener disposed on the protective garment.

In some embodiments, a plurality of elastic strips may be disposedadjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the wrap-around fabricpanel. The plurality of elastic strips may be configured to cinch thewrap-around fabric panel to the protective garment.

The first and second halves of the first removable fastener may beselected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook andloop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps. Similarly, the first andsecond halves of the at least one central removable fastener may beselected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook andloop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.

The wrap-around fabric panel may include at least one pocket configuredto hold at least one armor panel. The at least one armor panel may beselected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a softarmor panel. The wrap-around fabric panel may be composed of a ballisticfabric.

Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thefollowing description, the drawings and the claims. For example, a kitcover may help prevent snagging of the pouches, flaps and strapsassociated with the kit components. A kit cover may assist in holdingequipment closer to the body, thereby stabilizing the load and reducingthe girth of the wearer. Additionally, a kit cover may help protectequipment from harsh environmental conditions, such as sand or rain.Further, the kit cover can be configured to attach to existingprotective garments and configured to cover various kits. The kit coverprovides all these advantages while enabling immediate access to theitems it covers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a protective vest without a kit cover.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the protective vest of FIG. 1 with a kitcover.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary kit cover.

FIG. 4 is a front view of another exemplary kit cover.

FIG. 5 is a front view of another exemplary kit cover.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1, a typical protective garment, for example a vest 2,may include various compartments, such as kit compartment 4, kitcompartment 6, kit compartment 8, kit compartment 10 for holding andcarrying the equipment, or “kit”, that military or law enforcementpersonnel might need or want to carry. The kit compartments create anuneven surface and present many opportunities for the protective vest 2,and it's wearer, to get snagged on obstacles in the wearer's path.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the protective vest 2 with the kitcompartments 4, 6, 8, 10 may be fitted with a kit cover 20, whichprovides a continuous, non-jagged surface over the kit compartments,protecting the wearer from snagging hazards. Such kit covers 20 may bemade in various configurations and sizes to fit different wearers and tocover different kit compartments. In FIG. 2, an exemplary kit cover 20is shown attached to the protective vest 2 of FIG. 1. The kit cover 20may include a right fabric panel 22 and a left fabric panel 32, theright fabric panel 22 and left fabric panel 32 configured to attach tothe protective vest 2 and form an overlapping seam 12 when the kit cover20 is fully assembled.

The right fabric panel 22 has a front edge 24, a back edge 26, a topedge 28 and a bottom edge 30. Similar to the right fabric panel 22, theleft fabric panel 32 has a front edge 34, a back edge 36, a top edge 38and a bottom edge 40. Each fabric panel 22, 32 may include an innersurface 42, 44, which faces the wearer, and an outer surface 46, 48,which faces away from the wearer. The kit cover 20 may include pluralityof elastic strips, for example elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64, disposedin the top edge 28, 38 and bottom edge 30, 40 of the right fabric panel22 and the left fabric panel 32, respectively, to cinch the kit cover 20to the wearer. The elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 also enable the user topull the kit cover 20 away from his body to quickly gain access to thekit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10. Access can be gained by simply sliding hishand behind the kit cover 20 or pulling the kit cover 20 down under thekit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10.

Each fabric panel 22, 32 may be composed of a ballistic fabric toenhance the wearer's protection from hazards such as shrapnel and otherdebris. Each fabric panel 22, 32 may be constructed in different lengthsfrom front edge 24, 34 to back edge 26, 36 and widths from top edge 28,38 to bottom edge 30, 40 depending upon the type and number of kitcompartments 4, 6, 8, 10 to be covered and the size of the wearer.Additionally, each panel 22, 32 may be configured to be interchangeablewith the other.

The kit cover 20 includes a first half of a first removable fastener 50disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 on the outer surface 46 of theright fabric panel 22. A second half of the first removable fastener 52is disposed adjacent to the front edge 34 on the inner surface 44 of theleft fabric panel 32 and is configured to attach to the first half ofthe first removable fastener 50 disposed adjacent to the front edge 24of the right fabric panel 22. Alternatively, the first half of the firstremovable fastener 50 may be disposed adjacent to the front edge 24 onthe inner surface 42 of the right fabric panel and the second half ofthe first removable fastener 52 may be disposed adjacent to the frontedge 34 on the outer surface 48 of the left fabric panel 32. The twohalves of the removable fastener 50, 52 also enable quick access to thekit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10 by enabling the user to disengage the twofabric panels 22, 32 from each other.

The back edge 26 of the right fabric panel 22 and the back edge 36 ofthe left fabric panel 32 may be either permanently attached to theprotective vest 2, e.g., by stitching, or it may be removably attached.The back edge 26, 36 of each fabric panel 22, 32 may attach to theprotective vest 2 at any suitable location, e.g., on the side or back ofthe protective vest 2, where the kit cover 20 may be securely attachedand may cover any kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10).With the back edges 26, 36 of the right fabric panel 22 and the leftfabric panel 32, respectively, securely attached to the protective vest2, a wearer may secure the front edge 24 of the right fabric panel 22 tothe front edge 34 of the left fabric panel 32 by mating the first halfof the first removable fastener 50 to the second half of the firstremovable fastener 52. The first and second halves of the firstremovable fastener 50, 52 may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loopfastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removablefastening devices.

In embodiments where the back edges 26, 36 of the right fabric panel 22and the left fabric panel 32 are removably attached to the protectivevest 2, a first half of a second removable fastener 54 may be disposedadjacent to the back edge 26 on the inner surface 42 of the right fabricpanel 22. The first half of the second removable fastener 54 may beconfigured to attach to a second half of the second removable fastener(not shown) disposed on the protective vest 2. Similarly, a first halfof a third removable fastener 56 may be disposed on the back edge 36 onthe inner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32. The first half of thethird removable fastener 56 may be configured to attach to a second halfof the third removable fastener (not shown) disposed on the protectivevest 2. As discussed above, the place of attachment on the protectivevest 2 where the second halves of the second and third removablefasteners are disposed may vary across the sides and back of theprotective vest 2 depending upon the number and placement of the kitcompartments. The first and second halves of the second and thirdremovable fasteners 54, 56 may be a two piece buckle, a hook and loopfastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removablefastening devices.

A plurality of elastic strips, e.g. elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64, maybe disposed adjacent to the top edges 28, 38 and bottom edges 30, 40 ofthe right fabric panel 22 and the left fabric panel 32, respectively.Elastic strips 58, 60, 62, 64 may be sewn to, adhesively attached to ordisposed within (e.g. in a pocket or within a lining) the right fabricpanel 22 and the left fabric panel 32. The plurality of elastic strips58, 60, 62, 64 may be configured to cinch the right and left fabricpanels 22, 32 to the protective vest 2 to provide a close fit for thekit cover 20 and to ensure that the top edges 28, 38 and bottom edges30, 40 of the right and left fabric panels 22, 32, respectively, do notpose a snagging potential when worn.

Because a wearer of a protective vest may require protection fromvarious threats, at least one pocket 66 may be disposed on the innersurface 42 of the right fabric panel 22 configured to hold at least onearmor panel 68. Similarly, at least one pocket 70 may be disposed on theinner surface 44 of the left fabric panel 32 configured to hold at leastone armor panel 72. Alternatively, the pockets 66, 70 may be disposed onthe outer surface of the right and left armor panels 22, 32,respectively. In this way, the right and left fabric panels 22, 32,respectively, may act as an armor carrier in situations where protectivearmor is needed but the protective garment itself does not include anarmor carrier or an insufficient amount of armor. The armor panel 68, 72may be either a hard armor panel or a soft armor panel.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in other exemplary embodiments, the kitcover 120, 220 includes a wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. Thewrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 is configured to attach to a protectivegarment, such as the protective vest 2. The wrap-around fabric panel 80,180 has a left end 82, 182, a right end 84, 184, a central region 86,186, a top edge 88, 188 and a bottom edge 90, 190. The wrap-aroundfabric panel 80, 180 may be composed of a ballistic fabric to enhancethe wearer's protection from hazards such as shrapnel or other debris.The wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be constructed in differentlengths from left end 82, 182 to right end 84, 184 and widths from topedge 88, 188 to bottom edge 90, 190, depending upon the type and numberof kit compartments to be covered and the size of the wearer. A firsthalf of a first removable fastener 92, 192 is disposed adjacent to theleft end 82, 182 of wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. A second half ofthe first removable fastener 94, 194 is disposed adjacent to the rightend 84, 184 of wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The second half of thefirst removable fastener 94, 194 is configured to attach to first halfof the first removable fastener 92, 192, thereby encircling theprotective vest 2.

The central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 maybe either permanently attached to the protective vest 2, for example bystitching, or it may be removably attached. The central region 86, 186of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may attach to the protectivevest 2 at any suitable location, such as on the side or back ofprotective vest 2, where kit cover 120, 220 may be securely attached andmay cover the kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4, 6, 8, 10). Withthe central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180securely attached to the protective vest 2, a wearer may secure the leftend 82, 182 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 to the right end 84,184 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 by fastening the first halfof the first removable fastener 92, 192 to the second half of the firstremovable fastener 94, 194. The first 92, 94 and second halves 192, 194of the first removable fastener may be a two piece buckle, a hook andloop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snaps or any other suitable removablefastening devices.

In examples where the central region 86, 186 of the wrap-around fabricpanel 80, 180 is removably attached to the protective vest 2, variousconfigurations of central removable fasteners may be used. For example,as shown in FIG. 4, a first half of a central removable fastener 100 maybe disposed in central region 86. However, multiple first halves ofcentral removable fasteners 200, 202 may also be implemented, as shownin FIG. 5. One or more central removable fasteners and their placementon the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may be utilized depending uponthe number and placement of kit compartments (e.g. kit compartments 4,6, 8, 10) on the protective vest 2. The first halves of the centralremovable fasteners 100, 200, 202 may be configured to attach to secondhalves of the central removable fasteners (not shown) disposed on theprotective vest 2. As discussed above, the place of attachment on theprotective vest 2 where the second halves of the central removablefastener(s) are disposed may vary across the sides and back of theprotective vest 2 depending upon the number and placement of the kitcompartments, as well as the configuration of the protective garment.The first and second halves of the central removable fastener(s) may bea two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper, snapsor any other suitable removable fastening devices.

A plurality of elastic strips, e.g. elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198, maybe disposed in the top edge 88, 188 and bottom edge 90, 190 of thewrap-around fabric panel 80, 180. The elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198may be sewn to, adhesively attached to or disposed within (e.g. in apocket or within a lining) the wrap-around fabric panel 70. Theplurality of elastic strips 96, 98, 196, 198 may be configured to cinchthe wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 to the protective vest to provide aclose fit for the kit cover 120, 220 and to help ensure that the topedge 88, 188 to bottom edge 90, 190 of the wrap-around fabric panel 80,180 do not pose a snagging potential when worn.

Because a wearer of a protective vest may require protection fromvarious threats, a pocket 104, 204 may be disposed on the wrap-aroundfabric panel 80, 180 configured to hold an armor panel 106, 206. In thisway, the wrap-around fabric panel 80, 180 may act as an armor carrier insituations where protective armor is needed but the protective vestitself does not include an armor carrier or more protection is requiredthan provided for by the vest. The armor panel 106, 206 may be either ahard armor panel or a soft armor panel or a combination of both.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended toillustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is definedby the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within thescope of the following claims. For example, multiple pocket for holdinghard or soft armor panels may be included. While a protective vest hasbeen described, the kit cover could be used over a kit on a belt, shirt,jacket or pants. While a front edge, back edge, top edge and bottom edgehave been described, it should be understood that the kit cover could beconfigured to be symmetrical such that, for example, the top edge andbottom edge are interchangeable and the front edge and back edge areinterchangeable. Additionally, any number of removable fasteners locatedin any variety of places on the kit cover and protective garment may beused to secure the kit cover to the protective garment.

1. A kit cover comprising: a right fabric panel comprising a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to a protective garment; a left fabric panel comprising a front edge, a back edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the back edge configured to attach to the protective garment; a first half of a first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the front edge of the right fabric panel; and a second half of the first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the front edge of the left fabric panel, the second half of the first removable fastener configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.
 2. The kit cover of claim 1 further comprising: a first half of a second removable fastener disposed adjacent to the back edge of the right fabric panel, the first half of the second removable fastener configured to attach to a second half of the second removable fastener disposed on the protective garment; and a first half of a third removable fastener disposed adjacent to the back edge of the left fabric panel, the first half of the third removable fastener configured to attach to a second half of the third removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.
 3. The kit cover of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of elastic strips disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the right fabric panel and the left fabric panel, the plurality of elastic strips configured to cinch the right and left fabric panels to the protective garment.
 4. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the first and second halves of the first removable fastener are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
 5. The kit cover of claim 2 wherein the first and second halves of the second and third removable fasteners are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
 6. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein: the right fabric panel further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel; and the left fabric panel further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel.
 7. The kit cover of claim 6 wherein the at least one armor panel is selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel.
 8. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the right and left fabric panels are composed of a ballistic fabric.
 9. A kit cover comprising: a wrap-around fabric panel having a left end, a right end, a central region, a top edge and a bottom edge, and configured to attach to a protective garment; a first half of a first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the left end of the wrap-around fabric panel; and a second half of the first removable fastener disposed adjacent to the right end of the wrap-around fabric panel, the second half of the first removable fastener configured to attach to the first half of the first removable fastener.
 10. The kit cover of claim 9 further comprising a first half of at least one central removable fastener disposed within the central region of the wrap-around fabric panel, the first half of the at least one central removable fastener configured to attach to a second half of the at least one central removable fastener disposed on the protective garment.
 11. The kit cover of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of elastic strips disposed adjacent to the top edge and bottom edge of the wrap-around fabric panel, the plurality of elastic strips configured to cinch the wrap-around fabric panel to the protective garment.
 12. The kit cover of claim 9 wherein the first and second halves of the first removable fastener are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
 13. The kit cover of claim 10 wherein the first and second halves of the at least one central removable fastener are selected from the group consisting of a two piece buckle, a hook and loop fastener, buttons, a zipper and snaps.
 14. The kit cover of claim 9 wherein the wrap-around fabric panel further comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one armor panel.
 15. The kit cover of claim 14 wherein the at least one armor panel is selected from the group consisting of a hard armor panel and a soft armor panel.
 16. The kit cover of claim 1 wherein the wrap-around fabric panel is composed of a ballistic fabric. 